Our Nation's Infrastructure, Now and Tomorrow

Statement

Our Nation's Infrastructure, Now and Tomorrow

Our network of roads, bridges, railroads, and other entities which make up our nation's infrastructure is a tremendous accomplishment and a major factor in America's expansion and success.

As we work to ensure our current infrastructure remains safe and accessible, we must be mindful of new opportunities as we turn our efforts to the next generation of roads and bridges.

Recently, the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation - on which I sit - held a hearing to review ongoing federal, state, academic, and industry research and development activities related to reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability for surface transportation infrastructure. The hearing addressed technical, regulatory, social, and financial challenges to implementing new measures and integrating new materials and technologies into existing transportation networks.

Many state and local governments are beginning to adopt innovative surface transportation infrastructure materials and technologies to reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.

Materials and technologies currently exist to combat pollution and energy waste from transportation infrastructure. Recycled or high performance pavement materials reduce manufacturing and maintenance needs and may also cut fuel use by reducing friction. Still, widespread implementation remains slow.

Some impediments include lack of performance data, high costs, and a lack of trained engineers and planners. Additionally, new materials and technologies must be integrated with existing transportation systems, requiring cooperation between researchers and planners.

Carried out by agencies at all levels, research and development are helping advance knowledge in the field of innovative surface transportation materials and technologies. Strong partnerships between the research and user communities are vital to ensure R&D efforts are tied to user needs and demonstration projects prove the effectiveness of various technologies and materials.

We also need to deal with the current condition of our nation's infrastructure. Nationwide, bridges are in better structural condition than they were 20 years ago, but we could face dire problems in the future if we do not take steps today to ensure the safety of our infrastructure tomorrow.

In the coming days, the House of Representatives will take up H.R. 3999, the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act, which authorizes $1 billion per year to be apportioned to states for bridge improvements.

The bill requires the Federal Highway Administration to assign a risked-based priority for the reconstruction of each structurally deficient or functionally obsolete federal-aid highway bridge, and requires states to develop a performance plan for the inspection of highway bridges and the repair or replacement of structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges.

The bill also requires all structurally deficient bridges be inspected at least once a year and all highway bridge inspectors be trained and certified.

I am concerned the bill may eliminate the flexibility states currently have to transfer federal bridge funding to other federal highway programs. This ability to flex funding across various highway and safety accounts is a valuable tool for states to most effectively manage funding for their programs. As we debate H.R. 3999, I will keep this concern in mind.

In the next few months, Congress will take up reauthorization of legislation funding transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit. I remain committed to making sure federal mandates do not hamper our states as they protect the stability of our infrastructure.

Tying the hands of states by reducing their flexibility flies in the face of our overall intent - to ensure the safety of everyone who travels on our roads and bridges, both now and in the future.

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